Embracing Our Need for God's Help and Grace
Summary
Today, we took time to reflect on the people in our lives who have shown us a mother’s love—those who have been there when we needed help, who have spoken truth, celebrated our victories, and offered a safe place in times of need. This maternal love is a gift from God, and it points us to a deeper truth about our own need for help, not just from others, but ultimately from God Himself. We live in a world that constantly tells us, “I do it myself,” and yet, when that attitude meets the offer of help, it often leads to confusion and conflict. This tension doesn’t end in childhood; it follows us into adulthood and even shapes our spiritual lives.
In our pluralistic society, the definition of what it means to be a Christian has become increasingly unclear. Many have tried to blend different beliefs and practices, creating a “salad bar” faith that loses the clarity of historic Christianity. From the earliest days of the church, followers of Jesus have wrestled with what is central to the faith and what is merely cultural baggage. The Nicene Creed, which we recited today, was an early attempt to clarify these essentials, especially the truth that Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again—for our sake.
We explored the ancient heresy of Pelagianism, which teaches that we are born good and can save ourselves through effort, discipline, or enlightenment. This idea is alive and well today, both in secular and spiritual forms. But the biblical story tells us something different: that our deepest problem is separation from God, caused by sin—not just our actions, but a condition we’re born into. The solution is not self-improvement, but reconciliation, which God accomplished through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus didn’t come just to be a good example or one option among many; He came to be the Savior—the only one who can truly rescue us. This is not always a comfortable truth in a world that values autonomy and self-sufficiency. Yet, the story of the road to Emmaus reminds us that Jesus is recognized in the breaking of bread, in the act of communion, where we confess our need and receive His grace. The table is where separation ends, and we are brought back together with God and with one another.
So the invitation is simple but profound: to admit, “I can’t do this myself. I need help. Jesus alone can do this.” In communion, we remember and receive this truth, not as a sign of failure, but as the doorway to true life and belonging.
Key Takeaways
- The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency Leads to Isolation
Our culture prizes the idea of “I do it myself,” but this mindset inevitably leads to loneliness and separation—not just from others, but from God. The more we insist on handling life alone, the more we find ourselves isolated, carrying burdens we were never meant to bear. True wholeness begins when we acknowledge our need for help and open ourselves to receive it. [13:01]
- Syncretism Dilutes the Power of the Gospel
In a pluralistic world, it’s tempting to blend elements from various beliefs, creating a faith that is comfortable but ultimately powerless. The historic Christian faith calls us to clarity and conviction, not a “salad bar” approach. When we add to or subtract from Jesus, we risk losing the very heart of the gospel and settling for something less than the life He offers. [08:45]
- Sin Is More Than Actions—It’s a Condition
Sin is not just the wrong things we do; it’s a deep-seated condition that separates us from God. We are born with a bent toward self-centeredness and brokenness that no amount of effort or discipline can fix. Recognizing this is not about shame, but about seeing our true need for reconciliation and the grace that only God can provide. [16:46]
- Jesus Is Not Merely a Helper—He Is the Only Savior
Jesus’ own words and actions make it clear: He did not come to be one option among many, but the only way to true life and reconciliation with God. Accepting Jesus as the Savior—not just a savior—means letting go of our attempts to save ourselves or supplement Him with other solutions. This exclusive claim is challenging, but it is also the source of our deepest hope. [23:20]
- Communion Is the Place Where Separation Ends
The breaking of bread is more than a ritual; it is the moment where we recognize Jesus’ presence and the reality of our reconciliation with God. At the table, we confess our inability to save ourselves and receive the grace that covers our sin and restores our relationship with God. Communion is a tangible reminder that we are not alone, and that Jesus has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. [29:36]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Gratitude for Mother Figures
[01:32] - “I Do It Myself” vs. “I’m Here to Help”
[04:59] - Pluralism and the Salad Bar of Belief
[08:45] - The Nicene Creed and Core Convictions
[11:16] - Pelagianism: The Myth of Self-Salvation
[13:01] - Modern Forms of “I Do It Myself”
[14:26] - The Creed: For Our Sake
[15:32] - The Problem of Separation and Sin
[16:46] - Reconciliation and Atonement
[18:12] - Sacrifice, Covenant, and the Final Atonement
[20:00] - Jesus’ Mission: To Rescue the Lost
[21:44] - Jesus: The Savior, Not Just a Savior
[23:20] - The Exclusive Claims of Jesus
[24:52] - The Road to Emmaus: Recognizing Jesus
[27:19] - The Breaking of Bread and Revelation
[29:36] - Communion: Where Separation Ends
[30:28] - Where Are You Saying “I Can Do This Myself?”
[32:25] - Wounds, Self-Reliance, and the Need for Help
[33:38] - Jesus Alone Can Do This
[36:17] - Prayer and Receiving Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
- Luke 24:13-35
(The story of the road to Emmaus, where Jesus is recognized in the breaking of bread.)
- John 14:6
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
---
### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, what does Paul say is of “first importance” about Jesus?
2. According to the story in Luke 24, when do the disciples finally recognize Jesus? What is significant about that moment?
3. In John 14:6, what exclusive claim does Jesus make about himself?
4. The sermon described how the “I do it myself” attitude leads to isolation. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this? [[13:01]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus until he broke the bread? What might this tell us about how Jesus reveals himself? [[27:19]]
2. The sermon talked about “syncretism”—mixing different beliefs together. Why is this a problem for Christian faith according to the message? [[08:45]]
3. The pastor said that sin is not just about actions, but a condition we’re born into. How does this understanding change the way we see our need for Jesus? [[15:32]]
4. Jesus claims to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” How does this challenge the idea that there are many ways to God? [[23:20]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The pastor asked everyone to think of someone who has shown them a mother’s love. Who comes to mind for you, and how has their help shaped your life? [[00:45]]
2. Where in your life do you find yourself saying, “I can do this myself”? What are the results of that attitude—does it lead to connection or isolation? [[13:01]] [[30:28]]
3. Have you ever tried to “add” to Jesus—by mixing in other beliefs, self-help strategies, or spiritual practices? What was the result? [[08:45]] [[33:38]]
4. The sermon described sin as a condition, not just actions. Are there areas in your life where you see this “bent” toward self-centeredness or brokenness? How do you usually try to deal with it? [[15:32]]
5. Communion is described as the place where separation ends and we receive grace. What does it mean for you personally to come to the table and admit, “I can’t do this myself. I need help. Jesus alone can do this”? [[29:36]] [[33:38]]
6. The message mentioned that some people have been hurt by church or by people who were supposed to help. Has this been your experience? How does it affect your willingness to ask for help or trust others? [[32:25]]
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to move from self-sufficiency to asking for help—from God or from others? [[36:17]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, thanking God for those who have shown them love, and asking for the humility to receive help from Jesus and from others.
Devotional
Day 1: Christ’s Sacrifice: The Heart of the Gospel
Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are not just historical events but the very center of the Christian faith, addressing the deep separation between humanity and God caused by sin. This separation is not only about the wrong things we do, but also about a condition we are born into—a brokenness that we cannot fix on our own. The cross is the place where God’s love covers our sin, making reconciliation possible and bringing us back into relationship with Him. The story of atonement is not about us working harder or being good enough, but about Jesus doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. [15:32]
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to “do it yourself” instead of trusting in Christ’s finished work for you?
Day 2: Jesus Alone Is the Savior
In a world that offers countless ways to find fulfillment, healing, or spiritual growth, it’s tempting to treat Jesus as just one option among many. But Jesus Himself claims to be the only way to God, the one who came to seek and save the lost, and the one who gave His life as a ransom for many. He is not just a helper or a good example—He is the Savior, the only one who can truly rescue us from our deepest need. To follow Him is to trust that He alone is enough, and that no amount of self-improvement or spiritual “add-ons” can replace what He has done. [23:20]
John 14:6 (ESV)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Reflection: Where are you tempted to add something to Jesus—whether self-effort, another belief, or a “backup plan”—instead of trusting Him alone as your Savior?
Day 3: The Table: Recognizing Jesus in Communion
The breaking of bread at the table is more than a ritual; it is the moment where the story of Jesus’ sacrifice becomes personal and real. In the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, it was in the simple act of breaking bread that their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. The table is where separation ends and intimacy with God begins, reminding us that Jesus is present with us, offering Himself as the one who brings us home. Communion is a tangible way to remember and receive the grace that covers our sin and unites us with God and one another. [29:36]
Luke 24:30-31, 35 (ESV)
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight… Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
Reflection: As you approach the table—whether in church or in your own quiet moment—how might you open your heart to recognize Jesus’ presence and love for you today?
Day 4: We Cannot Save Ourselves
The belief that we can “do it ourselves” is deeply ingrained in us, but it ultimately leads to isolation and exhaustion. The gospel confronts the myth of self-sufficiency by showing us that we cannot rescue ourselves—no amount of discipline, progress, or positive thinking can bridge the gap between us and God. True freedom and wholeness come when we admit our need and receive the help that only Jesus can give. This is not weakness, but the beginning of real life and relationship with God. [13:01]
Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Reflection: What is one area where you need to stop striving to “fix it yourself” and instead ask Jesus for help today?
Day 5: The Call to Lay Down Our Lives for Others
The love Jesus showed by laying down His life for us is not just something to be received, but also something to be lived out. As recipients of His sacrificial love, we are called to lay down our lives for others—to move beyond self-sufficiency and isolation, and to become people who help, serve, and love those around us. This is the shape of true Christian community: not a collection of self-made individuals, but a family marked by humility, vulnerability, and sacrificial love. [21:44]
1 John 3:16 (ESV)
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that needs your help, encouragement, or presence today—and how can you lay down your own comfort to serve them as Christ has served you?
Quotes
A Christian is someone who says I can't do this myself despite with the fact that we live in a world that's a you got this you can do this on your own world people in orthodox christianity can't rescue themselves i can't do this myself i need help with this and lastly and most crucially jesus alone can do this. [00:35:02] (24 seconds)
For Christians, there is one story that stands behind all stories. The story of God coming to us in human flesh. To be for us what we are not. To do for us what we cannot. The God who suffered with us, as us, for us. The God who died. The God who was raised up in victory, having gone through death to resurrection. life. [00:30:00] (19 seconds)
Which means Jesus, by his own words, isn't just a savior, he's the savior. And if we find out that we find a Jesus that we've got, that he's just one of a lot of different stuff, then what that means is we've edited him down a lot. For better or for worse, this Jesus is the only Jesus that we've got, or else we're editing him and creating our own version of him. [00:23:51] (23 seconds)
For the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. He believes his mission is to come and to find people who are lost and to rescue them that's what he believes about himself here's how mark 10 the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many the way in which he's going to rescue people who are lost is to give his life as a ransom. [00:20:34] (24 seconds)
It's impossible to read and to understand Jesus without also understanding that you and I, we need help in the life now and in the life to come. This is so unbelievably crucial. We cannot do this on our—it literally is it—it's Jesus is coming because he apparently we needed it. [00:21:46] (15 seconds)
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